EXCURSION •
IS TANZANIA POISED TO BE THE WORLD ’ S NEXT CRITICAL MINERALS HUB ?
Contributed by Pula Group
Pula explores critical minerals mining and investment opportunities at the Tanzania Mining and Investment Forum 2024 – take a virtual journey with us as we look in on day two of the conference , where a key plenary session on “ Energy transition minerals : Focusing on midstream and downstream value addition ,” chaired by group president , Dr Mary Stith , unearthed more of what Tanzania has to offer the world .
All images supplied by Pula Group
From L-R : DMT Kai Batla investment analyst , Roy Lobow ; Peak Rare Earth CEO , Bardin Davis ; Tembo Nickel CEO , Benedict Busunzu ; Pula Group p resident Dr Mary Stith ; Helium One CEO , Lorna Blaisse and MCC / MAST president and CEO , Glendon Archer .
Tanzania is known for its world class precious minerals and metals like tanzanite , diamonds , gold and more recently , coal . But , at the annual Tanzania Mining & Investment Conference ( TMIC ), critical minerals were centre-stage . From 19 to 21 November 2024 , more than 1 500 delegates from SADC and EAC countries as well as the Middle East , Europe , Asia , Canada and the US convened at the Julius Nyerere Convention Center for the annual Tanzania mining confab . Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and Tanzanian Minster of Minerals Anthony Mavunde presided . Kenyan Minster of Mining , Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs , Ali Hassan Joho and Ugandan Minister of State for Mineral Development , Phiona Nyamutoro delivered addresses . Other dignitaries in attendance included members of Parliament , the Mining Commission , and the Chamber of Mines as well as the diplomatic corps . In addition to an update on a variety of critical mineral projects in Tanzania , the conference emphasised value addition and local participation in the global critical mineral supply chain that passes through Tanzania .
Critical minerals were the reoccurring theme throughout the three-day conference . On day two , a key plenary session on “ Energy transition minerals : Focusing on midstream and downstream value addition ” was a major conference draw . The session featured four globally significant critical mineral projects in Tanzania : Tembo Nickel Project , Helium One , Peak Rare Earths and Pula Graphite Partner ’ s Ruangwa Graphite Project .
These four projects showcase the enormous potential across the entirety of the large east African country . Tembo Nickel , located in the north-western region of Kagera , is the world ’ s largest nickel project . Tembo has also been granted a Special Economic Zone to create a refinery and mining hub in the central region of Kahama in support of the country ’ s “ mine to metal strategy .” Helium One holds assets in three regions in Tanzania , including the southwestern region of Mbeya , which is also home to Peak Rare Earths Ngualla Project , while Pula Graphite Partners ’ graphite project has a measured , indicated and inferred resource estimate of 140 million tonnes in the south-eastern district of Ruangwa . The high quantum , high quality project is located 225km from the deep-water port of Mtwara , which can handle one million metric tons of imports and exports per annum .
Pula Group president , Dr Mary Stith chaired the panel on “ Energy Transition Minerals .” In her opening remarks she said , “ The panel , and the conference , reflect Tanzania ’ s progress and ambitions toward becoming a global mineral and processing hub for the energy transition . The government of Tanzania is inviting , supportive and open to dialogue . The infrastructure and logistics improvement around Pula ’ s graphite assets is a prime example of the government ’ s commitment . Based on infrastructure and political stability , Ruangwa is ready to be a mining and processing hub for high grade , high purity graphite concentrate and other beneficiated graphite products .”
Panelists for the Energy Transition Minerals session included Tembo Nickel CEO , Benedict Busunzu ; MCC / MAST president and CEO , Glendon Archer ; Helium One CEO Lorna Blaisse ; DMT Kai Batla investment analyst Roy Lobow and Peak Rare Earth CEO Bardin Davis .
Pula Group president , Dr Mary Stith chaired the panel on “ Energy Transition Minerals ."
Busunzu started the session by summarising Tembo Nickel ’ s company ’ s ambitious strategic vision : “ Our solution for meeting global nickel demand combines four strategic elements : leveraging one of the world ’ s premium high-grade deposits at Kabanga in Kagera , Tanzania ; using Lifezone Metals Hydromet Technology to reduce energy usage and emissions ; ensuring an integrated mine-tometal approach and establishing the planned Kahama Multi-Metals Refinery Hub in East Africa . Lifezone Hydromet Technology has a potential to replace smelting for base and precious metals , offering
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